MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a significant ruling on May 8, 2025, federal judges determined that Alabama's Republican-led legislature intentionally diluted the voting strength of Black residents when it drew congressional lines in 2023. The court ordered that the state must continue using a court-approved map that allowed for the election of Alabama's second Black congressman.
The three-judge panel found that the 2023 electoral map violated the Voting Rights Act, mirroring a previous map from 2021 that had already been deemed discriminatory. "The long and short of it is that the 2023 Plan unlawfully dilutes Black voting strength by consigning it to one majority-Black district," the judges stated. They emphasized that Alabama should have a second district with a significant percentage of Black voters.
The judges criticized Alabama's legislature for what they described as a "deliberate decision to ignore" their prior order to create a second district where Black voters could elect a candidate of their choosing. "The Legislature knew what federal law required and purposefully refused to provide it, in a strategic attempt to checkmate the injunction that ordered it," the judges wrote in their 571-page ruling.
Deuel Ross, deputy director of litigation at the Legal Defense Fund, expressed that the decision reflects the "persistence and resilience of Black voters in Alabama, including our clients." He remarked that Alabama's defiance of court orders evokes memories of the darkest days in American history.
The case has its roots in a lawsuit filed in 2021, when Black voters and civil rights groups challenged Alabama's congressional map. Despite Black residents making up about 27% of the state's population, they were represented by only one majority-Black congressional district. The plaintiffs accused the state of packing Black voters into a single district while splintering other Black communities to limit their electoral influence.
This ruling follows a history of legal challenges regarding Alabama's electoral maps. The judges had previously issued a preliminary injunction that blocked the state from using the newly drawn map, which defined the boundaries of its seven U.S. House of Representatives districts. Instead, they mandated the use of a court-approved map that included two Black-majority districts for the 2024 elections.
The implications of this ruling were evident in the recent elections, where voters made history by electing two Black representatives, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, to Alabama's congressional delegation. Figures' election marked a historic moment, giving Alabama its second Black representative for the first time.
In a joint statement, the plaintiffs characterized their win as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of generations of Black Alabamians who have fought for political equality at significant personal cost. The ruling underscores the ongoing struggle for voting rights in Alabama and the broader implications for Black voters across the nation.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office has yet to comment on the decision, but it is anticipated that the state will appeal the ruling. A hearing is also scheduled regarding the plaintiffs' request to reinstate the preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act, which would subject Alabama to federal oversight for any changes to its voting laws.
As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities surrounding electoral representation and the ongoing challenges faced by Black voters in Alabama. The judges' ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to federal law in electoral matters and the necessity for states to ensure fair representation for all citizens.
Looking ahead, the outcome of this case could have lasting implications for Alabama's electoral landscape and the rights of voters across the state. The judges' strong language may also resonate beyond Alabama, as other states grapple with similar issues of representation and voting rights.
